James Jamieson
Ministers to push ahead with building safety levy plans
Ministers are to push ahead with plans that will pile fresh tax collecting burdens on English councils.
Warning against ‘knee-jerk reaction’ over Oflog plans
Local government finance expert Rob Whiteman has urged the sector to ‘not be defensive’ as ministers plan their new watchdog.
LGA to beef up council oversight amid Oflog fears
The Local Government Association has revealed plans to beef up its oversight of councils in an effort to stave off Government interference.
Performance body planned, but no league table return
Whitehall officials have told the sector they do not intend to create league tables as they push ahead creating a new local government performance body.
Crocker concern over new Government strategy
ADCS president outlines immediate financial concerns after Government’s children’s social care strategy is revealed.
Sector given role in NHS plan
Local government will join an ‘expert group’ with the voluntary and community sector and care providers to ‘build adult social care capacity’ as part of a new NHS plan.
Workforce crisis threatens services - LGA
A local government workforce crisis is threatening vital services, English councils have warned.
Fears as ministers eye rising council reserves
New Government plans to scrutinise council reserves have sparked fresh fears ministers are encouraging local authorities to ‘sail close to the wind’ with their finances.
EXCLUSIVE: Jenrick vows to improve relationship with sector on asylum
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick has told the sector the Home Office is ‘very keen to improve the relationship’ with local government amid the asylum crisis.
Ministers expected to stick with referendum threshold
Whitehall officials are not expecting returning local government secretary Michael Gove to make changes to next year’s referendum limit for council tax rises, The MJ understands.
Sector split over finance settlement
Financial uncertainty has split opinion over whether local government should push for a multi-year settlement or another single-year deal.
EXCLUSIVE: Ministers pile pressure on councils to find homes for Afghan refugees
Councils are struggling to find permanent homes for refugees from Afghanistan as ministers pile on the pressure.
LGA finance warning kicks off conference
More councils could be tipped into financial crisis while others face emergency in-year cuts due to soaring inflation and living wage increases, the Local Government Association (LGA) warned today.
Gove: My most exciting job yet
New communities secretary Michael Gove has argued that the renaming of his department is a ‘sign of confidence in local government’.
EXCLUSIVE: Gove to be quizzed on councillor security
MPs are to question local government secretary Michael Gove on the security of councillors following last week’s fatal attack on MP David Amess.
Jamieson urges councils to sign up to national audit procurement
The Local Government Association’s (LGA) chairman has urged councils to sign up for the national scheme for auditor appointments despite admitting disappointment with external audit’s operation.
Local government given partial self-isolation exemption
Local government has been included on a list of sectors that may be allowed to ignore COVID self-isolation rules, the Government has confirmed.
LGA chairman steps down as leader of Central Beds
Local Government Association (LGA) chairman Cllr James Jamieson has announced he will step down as leader of Central Bedfordshire Council.
Battle rages for multi-year settlement
A battle for a multi-year settlement for local government is unfolding ahead of the Government’s Spending Review.
Council leaders told to start preparing for self-isolation support scheme
English council leaders have been asked to start preparing to implement financial support for people who are required to self-isolate until the end of January.